Brenda passed away peacefully in Royal Columbian Hospital with her daughter at her side after a lengthy battle with numerous lung ailments that she endured since she was in her 40’s. 

Predeceased by her parents Mary (Maude) and Jim McQuair, her sister Donna (Lloyd) Mair, her brothers Bill (Joyce), Jerry, Bob (Greta) and survived by her loving partner of ten years Ian Brady, her brother Derek (Vickie) McQuair, her son Doug (Cheryl) Hall, her daughter Cheryl (Steve) Neathway, her stepson Andrew Brady and her grandchildren, Rachelle (Cris) Anderson, James (Kennedie) Hall, Alex Jahn and her great grandchildren Brooklyn, Tristan, Kamrynn, Arianna, Ty, Connor and Marlee and many nieces and nephews and extended family with whom she also kept in touch.  She was a second mom to many (Bea and Paddy especially) and had countless friends who will also miss her dearly.

Brenda was born in Nakusp, BC and resided in BC her entire life living in Revelstoke, Kamloops, Clearwater, OK Falls, Kelowna and New Westminster.  She held many occupations including grocery store cashier , nurse’s aide, realtor and she ended with retiring from her job at Telus when her health required her to do so. 

She had a beautiful way of approaching life and would light up a room with her loving smile and positive outlook no matter how she was feeling.  She had a wonderful sense of humour and the warmest readily available hugs.  She worked hard at keeping in touch with family and friends as they were her world and she treasured spending time with or hearing from them all.

She enjoyed the outdoors and spent many years camping, fishing and biking and loved her trips to Alaska, the west coast of the US, Hawaii, Mexico and across Canada.  She had a love of music and her beautiful singing voice and dance moves will be fondly remembered.  Being a great cook, watching her family and/or friends enjoy a delicious meal or dessert she had prepared brought her much joy.

She thoughtfully left messages for us all, this is one that she wished to have shared:

Miss Me But Let Me Go

(attributed to Edgar A. Guest)

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little-but not too long

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared,

Miss me – but let me go.

For this is journey that we all must take

And each must go alone.

It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,

A stop on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart

Go to the friends we know

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss Me – But Let Me Go.

Brenda felt she lived a good full life and embraced this passing with grace.  If you wish to honour her memory, when find your mind going to a dark place remember her positive nature and her kindness despite the health challenges she carried for so many years and let it inspire you to find something good in every day.  She would love to have that be her final gift.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring, her favourite time of year.